A propos of my conversation with Seb last weekend on blogs as a new form of currency, comes this Economist article about the economics of sharing in the open source tech sector and beyond: Mr Benkler does not limit his analysis to computing and bandwidth, but tries to make a broader point in favour of sharing goods far beyond information technology. �Social sharing�, he asserts, represents �a third mode of organising economic production, alongside markets and the state.� However, with the exception of carpooling, he acknowledges he is hard-pressed to find instances where sustained sharing of valuable things is prevalent …
Kelowna, BC Joy in the present moment from the vernacular body: “Joy is not ‘perfect circumstances.’ If it were, joy would never come. This is joy: going to the woods, seeing flags play in the wind, contemplating the snow and the setting sun. This is joy: rising to the top of a hillock in an abandoned landscape, and being surprised by the sight of a red-haired jogger lying on her back making a snow angel. This: laughter splashing about in the dark.” Thanks to the cassandra pages for the link.
Kelowna, BC John Nichols writes in Tha Nation about Hunter S. Thompson’s political legacy, the one that came from his stab at municipal politics in Colorado in the 1970s. It’s a good piece that expands Thompson’s influence beyond the bat-filled skies of the Nevada desert and the dwindling expense accounts of Saigon towards a politics in which political outsiders seize control of the power structure by the radical act of voting. Although Thompson never won the race for sheriff of Pitkin County, he set a standard and a way forward that was mimicked elsewhere in the United States resulting in …
George Nemeth, Jack Ricchiuto and I got into a Skype chat earlier this evening about holding space. George later linked to this list of the precepts of a Buddhist warrior. It’s amazing. Here’s a sample: Have compassion for all beings, causing them no unnecessary hurt, nor needless harm. Refrain from needless competitiveness, from contriving for self-advantage, and from subjugating others. When accepting authority over others, know also that you accept responsibility for their well being. Value true friendship, and fulfill your obligations, rather than striving with egotistical motive. Seek liberation from the negative passions of hatred, envy, greed and rage, …
My dad is a smart guy (although he doesn’t blog enough!). His has been retired for a few years now, having paid his dues in middle management in the insurance business with a short stint in the provincial public service. As a retiree he has been more than active in his community in Ontario, building bridges on the Bruce Trail, chairing his local library board and generally being an active citizen in his village. He has picked up a fair amount of wisdom over the years, and among his favourite observations is that every human endeavour, whether for profit or …